phollier
phollier,
Duke
B.S., Neuroscience
Always learning how to help others
Features Included
14
Essays
10
Schools
13
Scores
3
Advice
8
ECs
0
Sports

Background

Hometown Houston, Texas
GenderMale
EthnicityWhite Non-Hispanic
Class of2022
First Gen College StudentNo

Results, Essays, and Advice

Accepted
Waitlisted or Withdrew
Denied
  • Duke University (Durham, NC)
  • Johns Hopkins University (Baltimore, MD)
  • University of Texas - Austin (Austin, TX)
  • Stanford University (Stanford, CA)
  • Harvard University (Cambridge, MA)
  • Rice University (Houston, TX)
  • University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill (Chapel Hill, NC)
  • Emory University (Atlanta, GA)
  • Georgetown University (Washington, DC)
  • University of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, PA)
Tap/click a school logo above to view essays and advice specific to that school.

Duke University (Durham, NC)

Applied for a B.S. in Neuroscience

Accepted and Enrolled Legacy: Parent

School Specific Essays

The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
My stomach painfully twists as I sit in the van driving back from my mission trip to Eagle Pass. This has happened to me before. It won’t last more than a week. The next two and half weeks proved me wrong. The pain intensified as the days passed, and every time I tried to eat, it made me more aware of the pain. “Pierce, we need to go to the hospital.” Before I knew it, I was in a...
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I spent the majority of my time after school, every weekend during the school year, and several weeks each summer debating. I chose debate because I wanted to further my academic interests beyond what I could learn in the classroom. It was important to me to learn more about what was going on in the world. The experience has been invaluable for several reasons. I learned how to handle defeat. During my freshman year, my partner and I competed on...
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Supplemental Essay: Strong beliefs/principles
408 Words
As Georgetown is a diverse community, the Admissions Committee would like to know more about you in your own words. Please submit a brief essay, either personal or creative, which you feel best describes you.
“To give and not to count the cost” -St. Ignatius of Loyola, The Prayer for Generosity I grew up with two physician parents and they were adamant that I live a life of service to others. My mother is spending her career working in public hospitals and my father is a leader for one of the world’s largest medical charities. I understand the quote because I watched it every day through my parents’ actions and those of my entire...
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Supplemental Essay: “Why us” school essay
138 Words
If you are applying to the Trinity College of Arts and Sciences as a first year applicant, please discuss why you consider Duke a good match for you. Is there something particular about Duke that attracts you? (Please limit your response to no more than 150 words.)
Trinity College at Duke and Strake Jesuit share a strong academic environment and commitment to service that I hold in high esteem. I have known since elementary school that I wanted to be a physician like my parents. Duke’s Global Health Institute will give me the opportunity to study healthcare in the context of improving health across the world. Moreover, my father, has told me a great deal about the experiential learning in the Global Health major which would...
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Supplemental Essay: Extracurricular activity
375 Words
Successful students at Johns Hopkins make the biggest impact by collaborating with others, including peers, mentors, and professors. Talk about a time, in or outside the classroom, when you worked with others and what you learned from the experience.

(300-400 Word limit)
I am guided, not just by a motivation to tackle the problems of inequity and injustice, but to do so in a cooperative manner that results in enduring and effective solutions. I was sleeping on the floor of a brick sanctuary church in Eagle Pass, Texas just north of the Mexican border. I was there with a group of students and several adults to help a woman whose husband had recently died. He had struggled with chronic illness for the...
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Supplemental Essay: Strong beliefs/principles
131 Words
What motivates you to learn?, What will you miss the most about your current community when you leave for college?
I am most motivated to learn when I can apply the knowledge to help others, not just on an individual basis, but also on a systemic level where I can make lasting changes for the better. My most enjoyable learning experiences are those which involve building a strong base of knowledge and developing leadership skills. For example, to found my charity, I spent weeks reading material detailing the process for founding a nonprofit organization, corresponding with compliance agencies, and reading...
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Supplemental Essay: Intellectual interest
248 Words
The Stanford community is deeply curious and driven to learn in and out of the classroom. Reflect on an idea or experience that makes you genuinely excited about learning. (100 to 250 words)
The 1995 movie, Outbreak, directed by Wolfgang Petersen is one of my favorite movies of all time (despite a 59% Rotten Tomatoes rating). I found the investigation of disease spread in populations fascinating. The movie follows the progress of a variation of a hemorrhagic fever virus originating in the “Motaba River Valley” as it spreads through a small American town. It portrays the science behind tracking the origin of a disease so that a vaccine could be developed. I found the science...
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Supplemental Essay: Intellectual interest
463 Words
How will you explore your intellectual and academic interests at the University of Pennsylvania? Please answer this question given the specific undergraduate school to which you are applying. (400-650 words)
As long as I can remember, I have wanted to be a physician. Studying at the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Pennsylvania will give me the specialized knowledge base I need to pursue a medical degree, and allow me explore a wide range of other fields and learning opportunities to ensure that I am well-rounded. I am interested in a biology major and appreciate the various concentrations that are offered within that major. Ever since I...
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Supplemental Essay: Issue of personal significance
243 Words
What do you hope will change about the place where you live?
Hasan Minhaj said something that caught my attention in his comedy monologue at the last White House Correspondents’ Dinner. He said, “we’re living in a strange time when trust is more important than truth”. While this quote is from a performance that was anything but serious, it carries a concerning message. I deeply value the trust of others and I want my relationships to be ones of mutual trust. To me, truth and trust go hand in hand and...
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Supplemental Essay: Unique question posed by school
252 Words
What about your background, or what perspective, belief, or experience, will help you contribute to the education of your classmates at UNC?
I would bring to UNC, not just a motivation to tackle the problems of inequity and injustice, but an understanding of how to foster effective communication and cooperation to bring a complex goal within reach. During Spring break of my junior year, I went on a trip to Eagle Pass, Texas and stayed in a sanctuary church. I was there with classmates to help a woman whose husband had recently died. He had struggled with chronic illness for the last...
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Supplemental Essay: Unique question posed by school
519 Words
APPLICANTS TO THE SCHOOL OF NURSING & HEALTH STUDIES: Describe the factors that have influenced your interest in studying health care at Georgetown University. Please specifically address your intended major (Health Care Management & Policy, Human Science, Global Health, or Nursing).
My stomach painfully twists as I sit in the van driving back from my mission trip to Eagle Pass. I thought to myself, "This has happened to me before. It won't last more than a week." The next two and half weeks proved me wrong. The pain intensified as the days passed, and every time I tried to eat, it made me more aware of the pain. “Pierce, we need to go to the hospital.” Before I knew it, I...
Read more...
Supplemental Essay: Strong beliefs/principles
717 Words
What was the environment in which you were raised? Describe your family, home, neighborhood, or community, and explain how it has shaped you as a person.
My family taught me that facing serious obstacles and loss doesn't mean giving up. When you come upon a mountain, you only need resolve and commitment to climb it. Most recently, I have faced two major obstacles that have changed my entire life. The first obstacle came at the end of my mission trip to Eagle Pass, Texas. I could feel my stomach painfully twisting as I sat in the van headed back to Houston. I thought, "This has happened...
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Supplemental Essay: Unique question posed by school
432 Words
You may wish to include an additional essay if you feel that the college application forms do not provide sufficient opportunity to convey important information about yourself or your accomplishments. You may write on a topic of your choice, or you may choose from one of the following topics
“To whom much is given, much is expected” I grew up with two physician parents and they were adamant that I live by this quote. My mother grew up in a chemical mining town on the edge of a dry lake and my father spent his early years living in the Basin Street housing projects in New Orleans, Louisiana. They both did extremely well and have provided me with incredible opportunities. I have always understood that I could not squander...
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Supplemental Essay: Unique question posed by school
439 Words
The quality of Rice's academic life and the Residential College System are heavily influenced by the unique life experiences and cultural traditions each student brings. What personal perspective would you contribute to life at Rice? (500 word limit)
I bring to Rice not just a motivation to tackle the problems of inequity and injustice, but an appreciation of these problems as well. I was sleeping on the floor of a sprawling brick church in Eagle Pass, Texas just north of the Mexican border. I was there with classmates to help a woman whose husband had recently died. He had struggled with chronic illness for the last several years of his life. His illness had prevented him from fixing...
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Supplemental Essay: “Why us” school essay
197 Words
How did you first learn about Rice University, and what motivated you to apply? (250 word limit)
Being born and raised in Houston, I have admired Rice as long as I can remember. From jogging the track around the University, to riding through the beautiful campus with my father, my parents told me that they would be incredibly happy if I pursued my education at Rice, as I would attending one of the best institutions in the country. My first significant and personal experience with Rice University was a Public Humanities tour during my sophomore year. This...
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School Specific Advice

More Essays

These essays haven't been tagged by school. Click school logos above to see tagged essays.

General Admissions Advice

My advice about getting recommenders
79 Words
You should definitely try to get recommendations from someone with whom you did volunteer or research work. That is the top priority. The next...
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What set me apart from other applicants
59 Words
I had a focus going into my applications. I would not suggest hedging your bets on one topic...
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How to deal with the stress of applying to college
80 Words
Do everything early. If you finish your essays with months to go, then you'll be alright. You will have plenty of time to edit...
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High School Performance

Weighted GPA
4.38
(equivalent to 4.00 unweighted)
Rank
Top 1%
 
Academic Performance in High School Steady

Test Scores

Highest ACT
33
 
ACT Score Details
 
Other ACT Scores
ACT Prep
Highest SAT
1470
 
SAT Score Details
 
Other SAT Scores
SAT Prep
PSAT Scores

AP / IB Classes and Scores

Details10 classes and scores

Sports

Extracurriculars

ActivitiesDebate Club/Team, Spanish Club, Other Club/Activity, Research, Research, Research, School Newspaper/Magazine/Journalism, Nonprofit, NGO or Charitable Organization

Experience & Awards

Volunteer Experiences
Awards Received

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